‘Why Can’t We Be Flexible?’: Australia’s Travis Head Hints At Batting Order Changes For Upcoming Sri Lanka Tour

Australia’s vice-captain, Travis Head has indicated that the side could consider changing up their batting order for the upcoming Test tour of Sri Lanka beginning on January 29 in Galle.

Head, coming off a brilliant performance in the recently concluded home Test series against India, talked about getting a good look at the wicket in use and then making the changes ahead of their series opener against the Lankan side.

“I don’t know where I’m going to bat at this stage. We’ll see how that wicket plays out over the next couple of days. It’s been a topic of conversation for the last little bit in this team on whether the Australian first innings, second innings, why doesn’t the order change?” said Head to reporters on Monday.

“Why can’t we be flexible? What moves? How can we be brave? That hasn’t played out as such yet. Is this the tour to do it? We’ll wait and see. I feel like this group’s experienced enough and got some really good players that can play in different roles and in different situations of the game, we may draw on different people,” he added.

The experienced southpaw hinted at the batting order changing depending on if its a good wicket to bat on or if there is significant turn on offer on the opening day itself. Questions have been asked of the opening pair and whether Sam Konstas would keep his position at the top or Head take the position instead.

“All you’re trying to do is line it up to be flexible around what can win a Test match. If that lends itself to being more traditional on Day One and what’s not to say when it does turn and gets extreme, the order may change. A lot’s being drawn to me at the moment and where I may bat but that may be different to everyone.

“I think people (within the team) are open to it. The game’s evolving. I don’t think anyone would’ve seen Sam Konstas lapping in the first session of a Test match. The game is evolving so why not continue to see where we can make jumps and leaps and where can we get an advantage?” Head added.

Head would look to put up more of his impressive performances and conquer the Sri Lankan conditions which had plagued him during their previous tour in 2022.

As a result, he was also left out of the opening Test against India at Nagpur. But he managed to prove himself with decent performances in the subcontinent, along with his knock in Indore.